Image caption
The royal wedding was watched by millions of people in 180 countries around the world

Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge have returned to the UK from their 10-day honeymoon in the Seychelles, St James's Palace has said.

Royal officials had earlier declined to confirm where the couple were staying though media speculation had focused on the Indian Ocean archipelago.

The palace said couple had "thoroughly enjoyed their time together."

They thanked the Seychelles government for helping to make "the honeymoon such a memorable and special 10 days".

The couple left for their honeymoon a few days after they were married on 29 April at Westminster Abbey, an event watched by millions around the world.

The duke briefly returned to his job as an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot on Anglesey before the couple left for the exclusive North Island resort in the Seychelles.

A Seychelles government statement said that the east African nation was honoured to have hosted the couple for a peaceful and private holiday.

Image caption
North Island, where the royal couple spent their honeymoon

The Seychelles coastguard helped protect the couple's privacy as they stayed on North Island, the report added. On their last day the royal couple invited the coastguard ashore to personally thank them for their efforts.

"They left happy and clearly content with their stay," the head of the Seychelles tourism board, Alain St Ange, who saw the couple leave on Friday, told Associated Press.

British High Commissioner Patrick Pillay said: "In a world of so much turmoil they bring a welcome and much needed breath of fresh air with their warmth and humility."